Punjab: Dera chief's cremation amid tight security

Chandigarh, Jun 4: Security has been intensified in the state of Punjab as cremation of Dera Sachkhand leader Sant Rama Nand is scheduled to happen on Thursday, Jun 4 at Ballan in Jalandhar.

Official revealed that there were additional security forces deployed across Punjab and other states where the followers are expected to gather.

The sect leader Sant Surinder Das on Wednesday, Jun 3 appealed to the followers to maintain peace and to refrain shouting any kind of slogans.

The body of the leader is expected to arrive in the morning at Ballan, where special arrangements have been made to ensure that the followers can pay their last respects to the leader.

The remains of Santh Rama Nand will be consigned to flames with full state honours, an official spokesman was quoted as saying.

Sant Rama Nand was killed in Vienna on May 25 in a clash between two Sikh communities, following which Punjab erupted in violent protest over the issue. Violence spread across Punjab and Haryana which prompted the authorities to impose a curfew in addition to bringing in army to curb the violence.